Riding-saddle.



No. 770,975. PATENTED SEPT. 27, 1904.

L. A. LOI-IR. RIDING SADDLE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 15, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET l. 78" 77 2 SHEETQ HEET 2' no MODEL the presentinvention. of the tree with an edge portion of the cover UNITED STATESPatented September 27, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

RIDING-SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part O f Letters Patent No. 770,975, datedSeptember 27, 1904.

I Application filed October 15,1902. Serial No. 127,414. ct model.)

To all whom, ,it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LUTHER A. LOHR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newmarket, in the county of Shenandoah and State ofVirginia, have invented a new and useful Riding-Saddle, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to riding-saddles, and has for its object todispense with the usual saddle-pads and at the same time to obviatechafing of an animals back.

It is furthermore designed to provide f0 converting the saddle from acomparatively hard seat to a cushioned seat, and'vice versa.

Another object is to provide improvements in the manner of connectingthe cover to the tree without nailing the same together and to permit ofthe convenient removal thereof whenever desired.

Another object is to provide for tensioning and equalizing the strainupon the cover to any degree of tightness to suit the rider.

Another object is to provide an improved connection between each stirrup-strap and the saddle whereby said strap is free from buckles.

With these and other objects in View the present invention consists inthe combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter morefully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularlypoint; ed' out in the appended claims, it being understood that changesin the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within thescope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing anyof the advantages of the invention.

1nthe drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a saddle embodying thefeatures of Fig. 2 is a plan view secured thereto. Fig. 3 is a sideelevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a front view of the tree. Fig. 5 is acentral longitudinal sectional view of the saddle with the cover on.Fig. 6- is a transverse sectional view on the line 6 6 of .Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 2with the adjacent stirrup-strap in position. Fig. 8 is an enlargeddetail perspective view of the forward end of one side of the pommel.Fig. 9 is an inverted plan view of the cover. Fig. 10 is a detail viewof the pneumatic pad or cushion. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view ofthe .tension device for drawing the cover tightly upon the tree. Fig. 12is a detail perspective view of the upper portion of one of the apronswhich lies between the adjacent stirrup-strap and the sides of ananimal. Fig. 13 is a detail sectional'view showingone of the headedstuds or buttons for connecting the cover to the tree.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawlngs.

In carrying out the present invention I form the tree 1 of some lightand strong sheet or cast metalas, for instance, aluminium. The rear endportion of the tree flares upwardly and rearwardly into a cantle 2, theopposite sides of which extend well forward, whereby the tree isconsiderably dished between its opposite sides and the usual ellipticalor elongated opening 3, which is formed at the longitudinal center ofthe tree.- The pommel 4 is hollow or dished upon its under side andrises to a'height substantially level with the highest part of thecantle, while the body of the tree has the front extensions 5, whichproject well forward in advance of the pommel and also downwardlytherefrom, the outer faces of said extensions being dished or concavedand the under side of the tree having a gradual convexed sweeplongitudinally and transversely, Se as to effectually fit the back of ananimal. The underside of the metallic tree is without joints andsmoothed or polished, whereby it does not stick, but slides freely,thereby givingthe desired ventilation and obviating chafing of theanimals back. It will here be observed that besides giving a broadbearing to the knees 'of the at 7, so as to give a broad bearing at therear end of the saddle. As best indicated in Fig. 6, it will be seenthat the extensions 7 of the bars are hollow, so as to be comparativelylight, with their under sides convexed and merging gradually into theconvex under face of the tree.

Over the top of the tree is stretched a cover formed in oppositeduplicate sections 8, preferably formed of leather which is undressedupon its upper face, so as to prevent sliding of the rider in thesaddle. The outer edge of each section is provided with a head 9,inclosing a wire 10, preferably embodying strands, and this wired beadis adapted to be seated in the groove 11 in the back of the cantle andat its upper edge and also in the groove 12 in the front side of theextension 5,said groove running back for any suitable distance at theadjacent side of the pommel either to the opening 3 or terminated shortthereof. The grooves at the opposite sides of the pommel are preferablyformed by means of upstanding ribs 13, with the beaded edges of thecover-sections snugly embracing the same. As best shown in Fig. 9, itwill be seen that the inner edge of the cover-section is provided withbuttonhole-tabs 14, which embrace the adjacent portions of the wire anddetachably engage buttons or headed studs 15, carried by the tree andextending from the rear ends of the ribs 13 rearwardly at opposite sidesof the opening 3. It being impossible to form the buttons or studsintegral with the tree, the latter has been thickened somewhat atopposite sides of the opening 3 and forwardly at opposite sides of thepommel, and in these thickened portions are formed threaded sockets 16for the screwthreaded terminal portions of the studs, as best shown inFig. 13, the heads of the studs being elevated above the tree and theshank portions being smooth from the heads to the tree, so as to preventcutting of the tabs by the sharp edges of the screw threads. Theintermediate portions of the inner edges of the covers are cut away toexpose the opening 3 in the tree, and in rear of these cut-away portionsare suitable eyelets 17 for the reception of a. suitable stringor lacing18, whereby the cover sections are detachably connected at their rearends.

For stretching the cover tightly across the a tree after its edges havebeen secured thereto there is provided a tension -screw 19, whichpierces a thickened portion of the cantle in.

line with the opening 3, the outer end of the screw being. provided witha handle 20 and its forward end provided with a nut or fol-= beingreceived within seats or notches 22 in the opposite sides of thefollower and provided'at their extremities with enlargements or heads 23to lie against the rear side of the follower, so that when the latter isdrawn rearwardly the opposite ends of the wire will be' drawn in thesame direction, thereby stretching the cover tightly across the tree. Infront of the tension-screw is a shoulder 24, formed integrally upon thetree at the rear end of the opening 3 and having a pair of perforations25 for the reception of the respective end portions of the wire, so asto guide the latter to the follower. As best indicated in Fig. 6, itwill be seen that the cover is stretched from the outer elevated edgeportions of the cantle and the forward extensions of the tree, andthereby conforms somewhat to the concaved shape of the tree, but doesnot touch the latter except at its outer and inner edges, whereby,although the cover may be stretched to a taut condition, it will stillyield slightly, thereby presenting a comparativlely hard seat, which isalso somewhat yieldab e.

Beneath the cover and fitting the general concavity of the tree is apneumatic cushion or pad 26, which is substantially U-shaped, so as toextend around the opening in the tree, and is provided with asuitableinflation-valve 27, which may be located at any part of the cushion,although indicated in Fig. 5 as being disposed beneath the lacing 18.When the cover is in a taut condition, the pneumatic cushion isordinarily deflated, and when a cushioned seat is desired the cover isloosened somewhat and the cushion inflated, so as to bear against thecover and thereby cushion the same.

As each bar 6 is without a groove for the reception of the beaded edgeof the cover, it is provided at its inner edge with an integral rib28,having screw-threaded sockets 29 for the reception of headed studssimilar to the studs 15, the corresponding edge portion of the coverbeing provided with buttonhole-tabs 30, which embrace the adjacentportionof the wire and are buttoned upon the headed studs or buttons. Inaddition to forming a support for the studs the rib 28 stiffens andstrengthens the extended bar portion. Suitable girth-straps 31 aresecured to the extended portions of the bars 6 at the rear ends of thebars and upon their upper faces.

Any suitable stirrups 32 may be used in connection with the presentsaddle; but I provide an improved adjustable connection between thestirrup-straps 33 and the saddle.

As best indicated in Fig. 7, one end of the strap is permanently securedto the adjacent rib 28 by means of screw-threaded fastenings, from whichit passes downwardly to the stirrup, thence upwardly to the saddle anddownwardly through a loop formed by a bar 34, which is disposedsubstantially longitudinally near the forward end of the bar 6 and isspaced therefrom by suitable enlargements 35, formed integrally upon thebar 6 and also projected laterally outward from the rib. At the outerside of the bar 34% is'a hook 36, which has its rear end pivoted to thetree, as at 37, with'its free hooked end provided with an upstandingstud or projection 38, which is designed to engage with one of aplurality of perforations in the free end of the stirrupstrap and alsoadapted to bear against the outer side of the bar 34 to hold the strapagainst slipping in an endwise direction.

taken by the projection 38 and the loop or bar 34, and the hook 36serves merely as a movable carrier or support for the pin or projection38. By disengaging the free end of the'stirrup-strap from the projectionand again engaging it with another perforation therein the stirrup maybe adjustably raised and lowered to suit the rider. The usual form ofapron 39 is placed at the inner side of the stirrup-strap and isconnected to the saddletree by means of the headed studs or buttonswhich .connect the cover to the rib 28, the upper edge of the apronbeing provided with a notch 40 to receive the loop 34 and the hook 36,whereby the latter is exposed for convenient access withoutnecessitating the removal of the apron. The upper end of the front edgeof the apron is received within a slot or notch tl, formed in the loweredge of the adjacent extension of the tree,

said notch being partially surrounded by a forward extension 120f therib 28 and provided with perforations for the reception of fastenings43, (shown in Fig. 3,) which pierce the apron and support the forwardupper end thereof.

A very important feature of the present saddle resides in the fact thatafter the wire 10 leaves the groove 11 at the forward end of I tree,whereby when the screw 19 is turned to stretch the wire the bowedportion thereof in pose of preventing the saddle from working forwardand in addition thereto prevents accidental turning of the screw and aconsequent loosening of the tension or strain upon the cover.

What is claimed is a 1. A saddletree, the upper face of which isconcaved from front to rear and also transversely 1n oppos1te directionsfrom lts longiwill here be observed that all of the strain is scribed.

ingly convexed, the side bars being extended in rear of the cantle andbowed inwardly to the longitudinal center of the tree, and the forwardportions of the tree at opposite sides of the pommel being extendeddownwardly and in front thereof and also concaved upon their upper facesand a flexible cover stretched on the tree and forming cushions atopposite sides thereof.

3. A saddletree having its side bars extended rearwardly beneath thecantle, said extensions being hollow with their under sides convexed andmerging into the convexed under face of the tree, substantially as de-4. A riding-saddle concaved upon its'upper face and comprising aconcaved tree, a cover stretched over the tree and secured to itsperipheral edge, the intermediate portion of the cover lying above andout of contact with the concave portions of the tree, a cord connectedwith the peripheral edge of the cover, and a tension device foradjusting the cord, substantially as described.

5. A riding-saddle comprising a tree, the upper face of which isconcaved from front to rear and also transversely in opposite directionsfrom its longitudinal center, the sides being inclined downward toelevate the longitudinal center and the latter being inclined at itsends and merging into the cantle and the pommel, and a cover stretchedover the tree and secured to the same at the said longitudinal centerand at the peripheral edge of the tree, the intermediate portions of thecover between such points lying above and out of contact with the tree,substantially as described. J

6. A riding-saddle comprising a tree, the upper face of which isconcaved from front to rear and also transversely in opposite directionsfrom its longitudinal center. the latter being elevated and a coverstretched over the tree with its peripheral edge connected to theperipheral edge of the tree and its longitudinal central portionconnected to the elevated longitudinal central portion of the tree, theremaining portions of the cover lying above and out of contact with thetree.

7 A riding-saddle comprising a tree having an elevated longitudinalcenter and provided with inclined concaved faces at opposite sides ofthe same, a cover stretched over the tree and secured to the peripheraledge thereof and supported by the elevated longitudinal a coverstretched over the tree and secured to its peripheral edge, theintermediate portion of the cover lying above and out of contact withthe tree, the peripheral edge of the cover being beaded, a'cord runloosely through the bead, and a tension device secured to the oppositeends of the cord.

9. A riding-saddle comprising a tree which is concaved upon its upperface and is provided with a peripheral groove, a cover stretched overthe tree and having a beaded peripheral edge seated in the groove of thetree, the intermediate portion of the cover lying above and out ofcontact with the tree,

a cord run loosely through the bead, and a tension device connected tothe opposite ends of the cord.

10. A riding-saddle comprising a tree which is concaved upon its upperface and provided with a peripheral groove, a cover stretched over thetree and provided with a beaded peripheral edge seated in the groove,the intermediate portion of the cover lying above and out of contactwith the tree, a cord run loosely through the bead, a tension-screwcarried by the tree, and a nut or follower carried by the tension-screwand connected to the opposite ends of the cord.

11. A riding-saddle comprising a tree which is concaved from front torear upon its upper face and also transversely in opposite directionsfrom its elevated longitudinal center, a cover stretched over the treeand connected to the peripheral edge thereof and also to itslongitudinal center, the peripheral edge of the cover being beaded, acord run loosely through the bead with its opposite ends extendedrearwardly beneath the longitudinal center of the cover, and a tensiondevice carried by the rear of the tree and connected to the oppositeends of the cord.

12. A riding-saddle which is concaved from front to rear upon its upperface and also transversely in opposite directions from its elevatedlongitudinal center, the peripheral edge of the tree being grooved,opposite longitudinal sets of buttons at the longitudinal center of thetree, a cover formed in longitudinal sections, the inner edges of whichare provided with buttonholetabs engaged with the buttons, theperipheral outer edges of the cover-sections being beaded and seated inthe groove of the tree, a cord run loosely through the bead with itsopposite end portions loosely embraced by the buttonhole-tabs, and atension device connected to the opposite end of the cor 13. Ariding-saddle comprising a tree the upper face of which is concaved fromfront to rear and also transversely in opposite directions from itselevated longitudinal center, the back of the cantle having a peripheralgroove, the front of the tree at opposite sides of the pommel beinggrooved in its front face, a longitudinal series of buttons upon eachside bar of the tree, two longitudinal sets of buttons at the elevatedcenter of the tree, a cover formed in two longitudinal sections, eachsection being beaded at its front and rear and fitted in thecorresponding front and rear grooves of the tree, and also provided atits outer and inner edges with buttonhole-tabs detachably engaged withthe adjacent buttons, the intermediate portion of each cover-sectionlying above and out of contact with the tree, a cord run loosely throughthe beaded portions of the cover-sections and loosely embraced by thebuttonhole-tabs, and a tension device connected to the cord.

14. A riding-saddle comprising a tree which is concaved upon its upperface, a cover secured to the peripheral edge of the tree and providedwith an opening at its longitudinal center, a cord loosely carried bythe peripheral edge of the opening in the cover and means connected tothe cord for contracting the opening and thereby stretching the cover.

15. A riding-saddle comprising a tree which is concaved upon its upper.face, a cover secured to the peripheral, edge of the tree and having anopening at its longitudinal center, a cord intermediately connected tothe tree and loosely carried by the peripheral edge of the opening inthe cover and means connected to the opposite ends of the cord forstretching the same and thereby contracting the opening and stretchingthe cover.

16. A riding-saddle comprising atree which is concaved from front torear and transversely in opposite directions from its elevatedlongitudinal center, two longitudinal sets of buttons at opposite sidesof the longitudinal center of the tree, a cover stretched over the treewith its peripheral edge connected to the pe ripheral edge of the tree,and provided at its center with an opening having buttonholetabs at itsedge detachably connected to the buttons, a cord intermediatelyconnected to the tree with its opposite portions loosely ernbraced bythe tabs, and means connected to the opposite ends of the cord forstretching the same to contract the opening and thereby stretch thecover.

17. A riding-saddle comprising a tree which is concaved from front torear and also transversely in opposite directions from its elevatedpos'ite portions loosely embraced by the foldedunder portions of thecover, and means con- ,nected to the opposite ends of the cord forstretching the same to contract the opening in the cover and therebystretch the latter.

18.' A riding-saddle comprising a tree which is concaved from front torear and also transversely in opposite directions from its elevatedlongitudinal center, the latter being provided with a longitudinalopening, a cover stretched over the tree and provided with a beadedperipheral edge, the tree having a peripheral groove with the beadededge of the cover seated therein, said cover also having a centralopening corresponding to the opening in the tree with the edge of saidopening'turned under and secured to the tree, a cord run loosely throughthe bead with its opposite end portions loosely embraced by theturned-under portion of the cover, and means carried by the tree andconnected to the end of the cord for stretching the same to contracttheopening in the cover and thereby stretch the latter.

having corresponding cut-away portions inrear of the pommel and formingan opening 1n the cover, a lacing connecting the inner edge portions ofthe cover-sections in rear of.

the opening, a cord run loosely through the beaded edges of thecover-sections, the cutaway edge portions of the sections being turnedunder and secured to the tree, with the opposite end portions of thecord loosely embraced by said turned-under portions, and a tension-screwpiercing the back of the tree andd connected to the opposite ends of thecor 20. A riding-saddle comprising a tree having a concave upper face, acover stretched over the tree, and means located in rear of the cantleand above the lower portion of the tree for placing a tension on thecover, substantially as described.

21. In a riding-saddle, the combination of a tree, the upper face ofwhich is concaved longitudinally and also transversely in oppositedirections from its elevated longitudinal center, a cover stretched overthe. tree and secured to the peripheral edge thereof and also to thelongitudinal center of the tree, the remaining portions of the coverlying above and out of contact with the tree, and a substantiallyU-shaped pneumatic cushion interposed between the tree and the cover.

22. In a riding-saddle, the combination with a concaved tree, of a coverstretched over the tree and secured to the peripheral edge thereof withintermediate portions lying above and out of contact with the tree,means to vary the tensionof the cover on the tree, and a pneumaticcushion interposed between the tree and the cover and provided with aninflation-valve.

23. A saddle comprising a tree, a cover secured to the cantle and thefront of the tree and provided with a corded edge, the corded portionsbetween the front ends of the cantle and the front of the tree beingcurved inwardly, and means for placing atension upon the cord, wherebythetendency of the curved portions of the cord is to become straight andthereby tension the cover.

2A. A saddle comprising a tree which is concaved upon its upper face andhas an upwardlyfiared cantle, a cover secured to the cantle and thefront of the tree with those edge portions between the cantle and thefront of the tree folded under and secured to the tree, the remainingedge portions of the cover being beaded, a cord run through the beadedportion of the cover and also run through the folded portions thereofwith an inward sweep, and means for placing a tension upon the cord. 25.Asaddle, comprisingatree, acoverhaving its marginal edge secured to thetree, the\ opposite portions of the cover between the cantle and thefront end of the tree being folded under and secured to the tree, saidfolded portions being bowed or curved inwardly, a cord fitted in thefolded portions of the cover and conforming to the curved shape thereof,and means to place a tension upon the cord to stretch the cover inradial directions from the folded portions thereof.

26. A saddle, comprising a tree which is concaved from front to rear andalso transversely in opposite directions from its elevated longitudinalcenter, said longitudinal center having an opening therein, a coverformed in opposite longitudinal sections, each section having its frontand rear end portions beaded, the inner edge portion about the openingin the tree being folded under and buttoned to the tree, that edgeportion of the cover between the front and rear beaded portions beingfolded under and buttoned to the bar of the tree and having an inwardcurve, a cord run through the beaded portions and also means to place atension upon the cord to strain the. cover.

27. A riding-saddle, comprising a tree, a cover stretched over the treeand provided at its longitudinal center with an opening having curvededges, and having opposite edge portions curved-inwardly between thecantle and the front of the tree, a cord loosely carried by andconforming tothe shape of the outer peripheral edge of the cover andalso extending around the peripheral edge of the opening, and means fortensioning the cord.

IIS

1 the inner and outer folded edge portion, and

28. A riding-saddle, comprising a tree having curved seats at oppositesides of the pommel, a cover stretched over the tree and provided at itslongitudinal center with an opening having curved edges, with oppositeouter edge portions of the cover curved inwardly between the cantle andthe front edge of the tree, a cord secured to the back of the tree andloosely carried by the outer curved edges of the cover and also by thecurved edges of the opening therein, intermediate portions of the cordbetween the outer curved edges of the cover and the opening workingloosely in the seats of the tree, and means for placing a tension uponthe cord.

29. A riding-saddle, comprising a tree having a curved groove across theback of the cantle and also provided with grooves in the front of thetree at opposite sides of the pommel, each of these grooves extendingfor- Wardly alongside of the pommel and then curved outwardly around thefront of the tree and thence rearwardly but terminating short of thecantle, a cover stretched over the tree with its outer peripheral edgebead ed and fitted in the grooves of the tree, the outer edge portionsof the cover being curved inwardly between the front of the cantle andthe pommel, the cover also having an opening at its longitudinal centerwith beaded curved edges, a cord loosely fitted in the beaded portionsof the cover and conforming to the shape of the peripheral edge thereof,the opposite end portions of the cover lying in the beads at theopposite edges of the opening in the cover and projected in rearthereof, and means carried by the tree and connected to the ends of thecord to strain the same and thereby tension the cover.

30. A saddle comprising a tree having a concave peripheral edge, acoverconforming to the configuration of the peripheral edge of the tree,a cord connected with the edge of the cover and curved to conform to thesame, and means for placing a tension on the cord, whereby thestraightening of the same at the concave edge of the tree will operateto stretch the cover, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

UTHER A- R- lVi-tnesses:

JOHN H. SIGGERS, S. GEORGE TATE.

